Sleeve valve for well tools



May 28, 1968 w. o. BERRYMAN SLEEVE VALVE FOR WELL TOOLS Filed March 9. 1966 .Ll hbfl... N

IINVENTOR.

United States Patent O 3,385,371 SLEEVE VALVE FOR WELL TOLS Wiiliam 0. Berryman, Houston, Tex., assigner to Schlumberger Technology Corporation, Houston, Tex., a corporation of Texas Filed Mar. 9, 1966, Ser. No. 532,937 12 Claims. (Cl. 166--226) ABSTRACT F THE DESCLGSURE The particular embodiment described herein as illustrative of the invention is directed to a well tool having telescoped tubular members with lateral ports therein adapted to be moved into and out of registration as the tubular members are moved relative to one another between spaced positions. A sleeve is loosely disposed Ibetween the telescoped members and conned between spaced shoulders on one of the members in such a manner that the sleeve can shift eccentrically in relation to the one tubular member as required for the sleeve to be coaxially aligned with the other tubular member and thereby accommodate minor axial misalignments of the telescoped members. Sealing members spaced above and Ibelow the port on the other tubular member are adapted for sealing engagement with the sleeve for closing-011 the port when the members are in one of their positions.

Accordingly, as will subsequently become apparent, this invention relates to well tools; and, more particularly, to new and improved sleeve valve assemblies for use in well bore tools.

In prior weil tools employing a sleeve valve comprised of inner and outer members slidably telescoped together and having lateral ports that are moved into and out of registry, it has been found difcult to maintain eifective sealing engagement between the telescoping members. In addition to requiring particularly close attention to manufacturing tolerances, such sliding sealing surfaces are also quite easily damaged under the typically adverse well bore conditions. Moreover, misalignments between telescoping members may create undue binding between the members and make their manipulation more difficult. Thus, heretofore, it has often been necessary to discard an otherwise satisfactory sleeve valve for either some error during manufacture or because of a premature failure of a critical sealing surface during service.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved sleeve valve assembly that is not only economical to manufacture as well as easily repaired, but also increases the life of the seals and reduces binding between movable elements.

This and other objects of the present invention are obtained by providing a well tool having inner and outer telescoping tubular members having ports therein and with at least one insert or sleeve mounted between the members. By loosely mounting this sleeve on one of the tubular members, it is permitted to shift a limited amount both longitudinally and laterally in relation to the one tubular member to accommodate radial and axial misalignments relative to the sealing means on the other tubular member. Similarly, by employing such separable members, replacement of these parts is facilitated and more durable materials may be used at critical points.

The novel features of the ,present invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by way of illustration and example of certain embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a typical string of well tools, including a sleeve valve employing the principles of the present invention as they may appear within a well bore; and

FIG. 2 is an elevational view in partial cross-section of the sleeve valve shown in FIG. l.

Turning now to FIG. l, a number of full-bore well tools 10-12 are shown tandemly connected to one another and dependently coupled from the lower end of a tubing string 13 in a cased well bore 14. At the lower end of these tools 10-12, a conventional full-bore packer 12 is arranged for selectively packing-off the well bore 14. A conventional hydraulic holddown 11 coupled to the mandrel 15 of the packer 12 is arranged to selectively engage the casing 16 and secure the mandrel against upward movement whenever the packer is set and the pressure within the tubing string 13 exceeds the hydrostatic pressure of the well control fluids 17 in the well bore 14.

`Coupled between the lower end of the tubing string 13 and the holddown 11 is a bypass valve 10 incorporating the principles of the present invention. As is customary for such service, the bypass valve 10 is suitably arranged to be opened to equalize pressures as well as to facilitate shifting of the tools lil-12 within the well bore 14 by diverting a substantial portion of the fluids 17 through the central bore of the retracted `packer 12. Then, once the tools 1li-12 are brought into position, the packer 12 is set and the bypass valve 10 closed.

In FIG. 2, a partially cross-sectional elevational view is shown of the bypass valve 10 as it will appear in its closed position. As seen there, the bypass valve 10 is comprised of a tubular mandrel 18 that is telescopically disposed within a tubular housing 19, with the housing being arranged to be shifted relative to the mandrel by the tubing string 13 between a lower position as shown and an elevated position (not shown). The mandrel 18 and housing 19 are suitably proportioned to provide a continuous axial bore 2t)y through the bypass valve 10 that is substantially the same diameter as the internal diameter of the tubing string 13. The upper end of the housing 19 is provided with threads 21 for coupling the valve 10 to the tubing string 13. Similarly, threads 22 (FIG. 1) are provided on the lower end of the mandrel 18 for connecting the bypass valve 1G to other well tools (such as the hydraulic holddown 11).

For establishing the longitudinal position of the housing 19 relative to the mandrel 18, an inwardly projecting lug 23 on the lower end of the housing is slidably received with in a so-called T-slot 24 formed in the exterior wall of the mandrel. This I-slot 24 is formed of a short, vertical portion 2S having a closed lower end surface 26 and an open upper end that is interconnected by a short transverse portion 27 to an adjacent longer vertical portion 28 that terminates in a closed transverse portion 29. Shoulders 30a and 30h respectively around the upper and lower ends of the elongated slot portion 28 determine the maximum extent of travel which the housing 19 is capable 0f moving with respect to the mandrel 18. It will be appreciated that the frictional engagement of the packer drag blocks 31 (FIG. l) with the casing 16 will initially secure the mandrel 18 so that the housing 19 can be manipulated by the tubing string 13 to shift the housing lug 23 out of the shorter slot 25 and into the longer slot 28.

To provide selective flow communication between the exterior of the valve 10 and its axial bore 20, one or more sets of lateral ports 32 and 33 are formed in the mandrel 18 and housing 19. By longitudinally displacing the outer ports 33 from the inner ports 32 a distance equal to the travel of the lug 23 in the J-slot 24, it will be appreciated that movement of the housing 19 relative to the mandrel 18 will move the ports into and out of registry with one another. Although it is, of course, unnecessary for the outer ports 33 to be larger than the inner ports 32, it is preferred to make them somewhat larger than the inner ports. By making the outer ports 33 substantially larger, most of the I-slot 24 is left exposed when the valve 10 is closed to prevent cement, silt and other unwanted debris from accumulating in the J-slot.

The mandrel 1S is comprised of a reduced-diameter upper portion 34 and an enlarged-diameter lower portion 35 in which the J-slot 24 may be formed. A peripheral groove 36 formed around the enlarged mandrel portion 35 and extending above and below the mandrel ports 32 defines a downwardly directed shoulder 37 above the mandrel ports and an upwardly directed shoulder 33 therebelow. Sealing means, such as a sleeve 39 carrying external and internal seals 4t) and 41, are disposed within the peripheral groove 36, with the sleeve being abutted on the upwardly directed mandrel shoulder 38.

A second sleeve 42 having lateral ports 43 therein is titted into the upper portion of the peripheral groove 36 and secured therein between the downwardly directed mandrel shoulder 37 and the upper end of the sealing sleeve 39. To maintain the sleeve ports 43 in registry with the mandrel ports 32, the ported sleeve 42 is corotatively secured to t'ne mandrel 18 by a complementarily fitted key and spline as at 44. Ey dividing the mandrel 18 at the upper shoulder 37 and joining the separable portions, as by threads 45, the sealing sleeve 39 and ported sleeve 42 can be easily assembled onto the mandrel. An O-ring 46 is mounted in a suitable exterior groove in the enlarged mandrel portion 35' above the peripheral groove 36.

The upper portion 47 of the housing 19 is suitably bored to receive the reduced-diameter upper mandrel portion 34 and carries an O-ring 48 which fiuidly seals the housing to the reduced-diameter mandrel portion. Similarly, the lower portion 49 of the housing 19 is suitably bored to receive the enlarged lower mandrel portion 3S. By joining the separable upper and lower housing portions 47 and 49, as by threads 50, adjacent to the downwardly facing housing shoulder 51 formed at the junction of the housing bores, the housing 19 can also be easily separated.

A liner or insert sleeve 52 is loosely fitted within the lower housing portion 49 and slidably confined between the downardly facing housing shoulder 51 and an upwardly directed housing shoulder 53 above the housing ports 33. A lateral port 54 is provided through the lower housing portion 49 and, if desired, through the insert sleeve 52 between the O-rings 46 and 48 for a purpose subsequently to be explained.

It will be appreciated, of course, that the internal diameter of the insert sleeve 52 and external diameters of the O-ring 46 and outer sealing member 4t? in the sealing sleeve 39 are suitably proportioned to provide a close tit. On the other hand, the external diameter and overall length of the sleeve 52 are proportioned to leave not only a slight annular clearance 55 around the insert sleeve but also gaps 56 and 57 at each end thereof. Thus, any reasonable eccentricity or misalignment-axial or angularbetween the housing 19 and mandrel 18 will be accommodated by the loose t of the insert sleeve 52 within the housing. It will be recognized, therefore, that axial eccentricity or radial misalignment of the mandrel 18 relative to the housing 19 will merely displace either one end or one longitudinal surface of the insert sleeve 52 closer to the housing than the counterpart portion of the sleeve. It should be noted, of course, that the insert sleeve 52 must be capable of withstanding any pressure differentials acting across it that might otherwise burst or collapse it.

Moreover, by making the mandrel 18 and housing 19 each separable, the sleeves 39, 42 and 52 may be easily installed and replaced. Thus, where a port, such as at 43, or a critical sealing surface, as inside of the insert sleeve 52, is cut-out or galled by erosive well bore fluids, a minimum expense in labor and parts will recondition the valve 10. Furthermore, with the present invention, more expensive and higher quality materials, such as stainless steel, ceramics, and the like, may be employed for those parts, i.e., the sleeves 39, 42 and 52, which may be galled or must withstand the greatest abuse in service. Thus, the remainder of the valve 10 may be fabricated from lessexpensive materials which do not necessarily have to be capable of withstanding such abuse.

It will be appreciated, therefore, that as the tools 10-12 are being positioned 'within the well bore 15;, the bypass valve 1) will be opened with the housing lug 23 being confined within the short slot portion 25. By properly manipulating the tubing string 13, the packer 12 will be set and the housing 19 manipulated so as to shift the lug 23 out of the short slot 25 and into the longer slot 28. Then, once the bypass valve 10 is closed and the packer 12 set, the lower portion of the well bore 14 below the packer will be isolated from the remainder of the well bore. Gnce any of several typical testing or completion operations, such as cementing, acidizing, perforating, or the like, are finished, the bypass valve 10 is opened and the packer 12 unseated. it will be appreciated, of course, that were it not for lateral housing port 54, the space between the O-rings 46 and 48 would be at substantially atmospheric pressure. Thus, with this space at atmospheric pressure, it would be more diflicult to reopen the bypass valve 1li. Once the bypass valve 10 is opened and the packer 12 unseated, the tools 1li-12 may be repositioned as desired in the well bore 1d or may be removed therefrom.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the present invention has provided new and improved means for economi-cally fabricating a sleeve valve assembly. By providing the loosely fitted insert sleeve 52, reasonable misalignments between the housing 19 and the mandrel 13 may be accommodated without sacrificing the sealing abilities of the various sealing members in any position of the bypass valve 1t?. Moreover, by making the several members separable, they may be easily economically replaced as they become worn without undue expense in comparison to the cost of the complete tool.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it is apparent that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects; and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A well tool adapted for coupling to a pipe string and comprising: inner and outer tubular members telescoped together and movable relative to one another between spaced longitudinal positions in response to movement of a pipe string coupled thereto; a sleeve member loosely disposed between said tubular members and adapted for limited lateral movement with respect thereto to positions eccentric in relation to one of said tubular members and coaxial in relation to the other of said tubular members; means for limiting longitudinal movement of said sleeve member relative to said tubular members; first and second sealing means longitudinally spaced on said other tubular member and adapted for sealing engagement with said sleeve member in one of said spaced positions of said tubular members; and port means in said other tubular member between said rst and second sealing means.

2. The well tool of claim 1 wherein said limiting means includes shoulders on said one tubular member at opposite ends of said loosely-disposed sleeve member and spaced apart therefrom.

3. The well tool of claim 1 wherein said first sealing means includes a sealing sleeve member mounted on said other tubular member, and first and second sealing members inside of and around said sealing sleeve member and, respectively, fluidly sealing said sealing sleeve member to said other tubular member and, whenever said tubular members Vare in said one position, to said looselydisposed sleeve member.

4. The well tool f claim 1 wherein said port means includes an insert sleeve mounted on said other tubular member between said first and second sealing means, and first and second ports through said other tubular member and said insert sleeve, respectively, and in fluid communication with one another.

5. The well tool of claim 4 wherein said first sealing means includes a sealing sleeve member mounted on said other tubular member adjacent to one end of said insert sleeve, and first and second sealing members inside of and around said sealing sleeve member and, respectively, fiuidly sealing said sealing sleeve member to said other tubular member and, whenever said tubular members are in -said one spaced position, to said looselydisposed sleeve member.

6. The well tool of claim 5 wherein said limiting means includes shoulders on said one tubular member at opposite ends of said loosely-disposed sleeve member and spaced apart therefrom.

7. A well tool adapted for coupling to a pipe string and comprising: inner and outer tubular members telescoped together and movable relative to one another between spaced longitudinal positions in response to movement of a pipe string coupled thereto; said outer tubular member being comprised of a first separable portion having a reduced-diameter bore and providing a first shoulder, a second separable portion having an enlarged-diameter bore releasably connnected to said first separable portion adjacent to said first shoulder and having a second shoulder in said enlarged-diameter bore longitudinally spaced from and opposed to said first shoulder; a sleeve member loosely disposed in said enlarged-diameter bore between said first and second shoulders and longitudinally movable therebetween; said inner tubular member being comprised of a terminal reduced-diameter portion received in said first portion of said outer tubular member and an intermediate portion received in said sleeve member; first and second sealing means longitudinally spaced on said intermediate portion of said inner tubular member and adapted for sealing engagement with said sleeve member in one of said spaced positions of said tubular members; and port means in said intermediate portion of said inner tubular member between said first and second sealing means.

8. The well tool of claim 7 wherein said intermediate and terminal portions of said inner tubular member are separable from one another between said first and second sealing means and further including means coupling said intermediate and terminal portions.

9. The well tool of claim 8 wherein said intermediate portion of said inner tubular member defines a third shoulder; said first sealing means includes a sealing sleeve member around said intermediate portion between said third shoulder and said port means, first and second sealing members inside of and around said sealing sleeve member and, respectively, fiuidly sealing said sealing sleeve Imember to said inner member and, whenever said tubular members are in said one spaced position, to said looselydisposed sleeve; and means for maintaining said sealing sleeve member against said third shoulder.

10. The well tool of claim 8 wherein said coupling means provides a third shoulder; said port means includes an insert sleeve mounted around said intermediate portion between said third shoulder and said first sealing means, and first and second ports through said inner tubular member and said insert sleeve, respectively, and in fluid communication with one another; and means for maintaining said insert sleeve against said third shoulder.

11. The well tool of claim 8 wherein said coupling means provides a thi-rd shoulder and said intermediate portion of said inner tubular member defines a fourth shoulder spaced from and opposed to said third shoulder; said first sealing means includes a sealing sleeve member around said in- Itermediate portion between said fourth shoulder and said port means, first and second sealing members inside of and around said sealing sleeve member and, respectively, fluidly sealing said sealing sleeve member to said inner member and, whenever said t-ubular members are in said one spaced position, to said loosely-disposed sleeve; and said port means includes an inert sleeve mounted around said intermediate portion between said third shoulder `and said sealing sleeve member, and first and second ports through said inner tubular member and said insert sleeve, respectively, and in fluid communication with one another.

12. The Well tool of claim 11 further including third sealing means for fiuidly sealing said terminal portion of said inner tubular member to said first portion of said outer tubular member whenever said tubular members are in said one spaced position; a third port in said outer tubular member adapted to be in fluid communication with said first and second ports whenever said tubular members are in the other of their said spaced positions; and means between said tubular members for limiting the extremes of their relative movement to said spaced positions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,815,925 12/l957 Fisher 166-226 X 2,858,099 l0/1958 Althouse et al. 166--226 X 3,332,495 7/1967 Young 166-226 X CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

DAVID H. BROWN, Examiner. 

